lfati&&, 

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r>cc^^<t/au. 


.  tflfiot  M00irtoarb.        §0. 


90 


B  R  A  Z  E  R's 


ADDRESS. 


A    D    D    R    E    ^ 

PRONOUNCED  AT  W  0  R  C  E  S  i 
ON  MAY  i£*A,    1804, 

lv  COMMEMORATION  »f  IKS  Ci...  , 
or 

£    0     U    I    S     I    A     X 

TOTHI  UNITED  STATI 


SAMUEL  BRAZER,  h  wc%    H 


PU1LISH1D     BY    REQUE^T, 


PRINTED  AT  WORCEST^   V. 
S  E  W A L  L    GOOD    . 


r\ 


*^'-*-.vi£>^T-^-»  <•<?•>  v^^^^'-> '<'*>'• 


A  N 
• 

ADDRESS 


THERE  is  a  Spirit-in  Man  ;  and  the  inspiratioa 
of  the  Almighty  hath  given  him  Understanding  /" 
Happily  for  man,unhappily  for  the  despot  who  oppressed, 
for  the  demagogue  who  deceives  him,  this  Spirit  rouses 
to  resistance; — this  Understanding  unveils  the  visage,  and 
exposes  the  arts  of  ambition. — But  when  no  arbitrary 
despot  enthrals,  and  no  aspiring  demagogue  deludes; 
when  the  wisdom  and  patriotism  of  the  government  are 
difplayed  in  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  people; 

when  it  is  the  proud  employment  of  illustrious  men, 

\ 

"  To  scatter  Plenty  o'er  a  smiling  land, 
"  And  read  their  hist'ry    in  a  nation's  eyes  ; 

the  Spirit  and  the  Understanding  combine,  to  render  to> 
their  rulers  the  willing  homage  of  a  glad  and  grateful 
people. 

FOR  this,  Friends  and  FellowXitizens,  we  are  here 
assembled.  Had  we  convened  to  commemorate  the  day, 
which  introduced  to  the  world  some  fool  or  knave, 
whom  Chance  had  made  a  King,  or  to  consecrate 
the  nativity  of  some  idol  or  martyr  of  superstition, 
whom  Hierarchy  had  dubbed  a  Saint,  we  might  well 
strive  to  forget,  in  the  tumult  of  unmeaning  mirth,  the 
occasion  -which  prompted  it,  and  to  drown,  in  hollow 
acclamations,  the  source  whence  they  arose.  But  we 
need  not  employ  these  arts  of  self-delusion.  The  festive 


(6) 

joy,  which  at  this  time  electrifies  our  Fellow-Citizen*, 
in  every  section  of  jibe  coittirjent,  which  at  tFTis  moment 
riots  in  the  breasts  and  glistens  in  the  eyes  of  applautU 
ing  millions,  evinces  that  honest,  heart-felt,  Republi- 
can Gratitude,  which  does  equal  honor  to  those  who 
receive,  and  those  who  proffer  it.  A  recurrence  to  the 
motives  of  our  hilarity  will  cause  our  hearts  to  thrill 
with  livelier  transport,  and  beat  with  added  animation. 

THE  event  we  pelebrate,  whether  we  regard  merely 
its  intrinsic  consequence,  or  the    mode  in   whic{i  it  was 
produced,    will  well  justify   owr  joy   and    gratulation. 
The  acquisition  of  the  vast  territory  of  Louis-iana,  in  itself 
was-a  great,  a  wonderful    atchievement  of  wisdom  and 
policy.     The  means,  by  which  it  was  obtained,  afford 
an  honorable,  an  unprecedented  example  of  magnaakni^ 
ty   and  justice,, 

THE  value  of  the  acquisition  is  beyond  doubt  or  dis- 
pute. The  high  estimation,  in  which  it  was  once  held 
by  those,  whom  the  spirit  of  party  now  induces  to  un- 
derrate and  belittle  it,  furnishes  unequivocal  evidence  of 
its  magnitude.  Before  the  object  had  been  compassed, 
before  success  had  given  a  sanction  to  the  project,  when 
the  most  sanguine  of  the  votaries  of  hope  were  startled 
at  the  boldness  of  the  enterprize  ;  at  this  time,  the  enemies 
of  the  government  were  loud  in  their  assertions,  that  the 
attainment  was  of  the  first  and  greatest  moment.  They 
likened  Louisiana  to  the  roc's  egg,  in  the  Eastern  Tale, 
to  gain  which  no  sacrifice  could  be  too  great,  and  in  the 
attempt  to  gain  which,  they  felt  assured  the  Administra- 

n  would  incur  defeat,  disgrace  and  ruin.     The  injury, 


(7  ) 

L  •*  Western-Brethren  "  had  sustained,  oy  ^, 
unofficial  encroachment  of  a  subordinate  Spanish  offi- 
cer, was  described  with  affecting  and  pathetic  earnestness. 
These  Western  Inhabitants,  who,  four  short  years  since, 
were  treated  by  these  very  men  with  every  mark  of  indig- 
nity and  insult,  and  loaded  with  every  term  of  reproach, 
-these  "  W%i5%-fl0y5,"~these  "  Offscourings  of  the  earth" 
— ihese  **  Sweepings  of  creation,  "  were  all  at  once,  by  the 
magk  influence  of  party,  converted  into  the  dearly-be- 
loved "  brethren  "  of  their  former  calumniators,  and  be- 
came subjects  of  the  tend/er  mercy  and  loving  kindness 
of  Ross,  MASON  and  MORRIS  !  That  the  United  States 
MUST  possess  the  control  of  the  navigation  of  the  Mis- 
lisippi,  was  stated  as  a  settled  and  establifhed  point. 
To  prevent  the  colonization  of  the  country  by  the 
French,  was  declared  an  object  of  great  and  momentous 
concern.  The  Northern  States  were  told,  by  these 
careful  guardians  of  their  rights  and  interest,  that  if  the 
proposed  colonization  should  be  effected,  their  Commerce 
to  the  West-Indies  would  be  materially  injured,  if  not 
utterly  destroyed.  The  dangers  consequent  on  the  vi- 
cinity of  a  great  arufc-enterprizuig  colony,  were  depicted 
in  dark  and  frowning  characters.  The  exuberant  fertil- 
ity of  the  soil,  the  delightsome  salubrity  of  the  clime, 
were  painted,  in  the  richest  and  most  brilliant  colors, 
by  the  pencil  of  romance.  In  a  word,  we  were  told, 
that  an  adequate  compensation  for  such  an  acquirement 
<ould  scarce  be  conceived,  that  it  was  a  prize  worthy  the 
loftiest  ambition, — that  the  horrors  of  war  were  not  to 
be  shunned,  when  such  an  object  was  at  stake. 


(8) 

THE  justice  of  these  statements  was  riot  contested  < 
though  the  purity  of  the  motives  which  produced  them, 
was,  with  propriety,  questioned.  All  parties  agreed  in 
the  importance  of  the  acquisition,  and  differed  only  in 
the  means  of  securing  it.  In  former  negotiations,  be- 
tween sovereign  powers,  the  barter  and  exchange  had 
been  blood  for  blood,  the  lives  of  thousands  the  "valuable 
consideration,"  and  cannon-balls  the  current  coin.  In 
the  codes  of  GROTIUS  and  VATTEL,  we  might  be  taught 
National  Law,  as  founded  on  principles  of  equity,  and 
prescriptions  of  justice.  But,  in  the  Courts  of  St. 
James,  Versailles  or  Vienna,  those  practical  schools  of 
political  science,  the  very  rudiments  were  reversed.  Pow- 
er was  substituted  for  Right,  reasons  of  state  for  the  die. 
tates  of  conscience,  and  Humanity  and  Honor  were  struck 
<>ut  of  the  vocabulary. 

WELL-versed  in  the  maxims  of  European  policy,  our 
American  disciples  of  the  "Old-School,"  our  "  Friends 
to  Order  and  Steady  Habits,  "  viewed  the  proposition  for 
an  amicable  adjustment,  as  a  most  dangerous  and  dread- 
ful "  INNOVATION."  T.he  very  idea  was  replete  with 
"  Modern  Philosophy."  The  government  were  instantly 
accusedof  meannessof  spiritjof  cowardice  and  pusillanim- 
ity. An  immediate  declaration  of  hostilities  was  loudly 
demanded.  War  !  WAR  !  WrAR  !  was  proclaimed  with 
incessant  clamor,  by  the  meek  and  pious  friends  of  the 
16  Gospel  of  Peace  and  Reconciliation."  They  appeared, 
for  a  time,  to  have  divided  their  rancour  between  the  Ad- 
ministration and  the  Spaniards.  Each  Federal  QUIXOTE 
was  on  tiptoe  to  post  off  to  New-Orleans,  and  find  Wind- 


(9) 


Mill  Giants  to  fight  with.     Each  Federal  HOTSPUR,  in 
loud  and  vaunting  tones,  exclaimed  : 


-Then  let  them  come  ; 


*'  And  to  the  fire-eyed  maid  of  smoaky  war, 
"  All  hot  and  bleeding  will  we  offer  them. 
"  The  mailed  MARS  shall  on  his  altar  sit, 
"  Up  to  the  ears  in  bbod." 

BAnCTG 
THE  veteran  heroes  of  Harper's   Ferry  and  the  Oxford 

Encampment  were  again  to  brighten  their  bayonets,  to  ff- 
feft,  not  to  repel  invasion  ;  and  the  invincible  New-York, 
General  was  again  to  quit  the  Bar  for  the  Camp, and  drop 
his  brief  to  take  up  a  muster-roll.  True,  the  event  of  a 
war  was  hazardous  and  uncertain  ;  the  expense  and  the 
horrors  certain  and  inevitable.  But  what  then  ?  The 
failure  of  an  attempt  was  a  completion  of  their  plan. — - 
They  well  knew,  that  the  expense  of  an  armed  force 
would  be  felt,  and  felt  sensibly  by  the  people.  They 
knew  also,  from  sad  experience,  that  the  administration, 
which  raised  a  needless  military  force,  gave  a  death- 
wound  to  its  popularity.  Every  misfortune  of  the  Gov- 
ernment would  have  been  to  them  a  source  of  joy ;  for 
fcvery  blot  on  its  escutcheon  would  serve  as  a  foil  to  their 
armdrial  bearings.  A  War>  and  an  unsuccessful  War, 
was  a  "  consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished/'  for  then 
might  they  hope  to  regaintheirlost  popularity  •  then  might 
they  expect  to  revive  their  dying  influence.  True — 
the  bones  of  many  a  gallant  soldier  might  bleach  on  the 
banks  of  the  Missisiffi  ;  the  breast  of  many  an  orphan 
child  might  throb  with  the  agony  of  paternal  bereave- 
ment ;  the  tear  of  conjugal  grief  might  bedew  the  cheek  of 
B 


tnany  a  widowed  mother.  But  these  misfortunes  won] 
befal  only  the  "  SioinishMultiludc."  The  «  well-born,"  t! 
"  EvgeneiS)'  the  "  HOWARDS,  and  BUKLEIGHS  an 
SOMERSETS  of  our  country"  would  find  ample  remi 
nefation,  in  the  offices  and  Promotions,  a  war  v.ouid  pr< 
vide  for  their  dissolute  descendants. 

BUT  vain  alike  were  all  their  artful  intrigues,  and  the: 
boisterous  clamors.  Unbiassed  by  the  one,  unhee'Sin 
the  other,  the  Administration  pursued  the  path  of  po 
icy,  with  deliberate,  determined  and  considerate  energ^ 
Disregarding  the  puny  censure  of  disappointed  part 
zans^  despising  the  little  rnalice  of  the  slaves  of  factior 
they  consulted  only  the  interest  arid  honor  of  the  nation 
Like  our  "frst  and  greatest  revolutionary  char  after"  the 
evinced  the  rare  courage  to  despise  the  imputation  of  cov 
ardice,  and  to  confide  their  vindication  to  the  iinpartii 
verdict  of  their  country  and  posterity.  It  is  only  on  pre< 
and  trying  occasions,  that  such  men  display  their  brightc 
talents  or  their  noblest  qualities.  Like  the  fabled  gci 
of  the  Ocean,  in  th£  gairish  sun-shine  of  prosperity,  the 
lustre  is  a  bright,  but  unheeded  sparkle  ;  in  the  gloom 
night  of  adversity,  they  shine  and  they  enlighten.  A 
the  momentous  crisis  we  commemorate,  the  Govcn 
rnent  disclaimed  alike  the  blustering  threats  of  a  bulh 
and  the  pitiful  whine  of  a  suppliant.  In  a  mild  an 
moderate,  but  manly  and  determined  tone,  they  demanc 
en  reparation  of  the  wrong,  and  security  against  its  fi 
ture  recurrence.  "While  with  one  hand  they  profTerre 
the  peaceful  olive-branch  ;  the  other  was  nerved  to  ur 
sheath  the  sword  of  vengeance. 


THE  success  of  their  efforts  we  this  day  celebrate. 
By  fair,  honest,  pacific,  Republican  measures,  we  have 
acquired  possession  of  the  fertile  fields  of  Louisiana  ;  we 
have  gained  complete  cpntrol  of  all  the  Western  Wa- 
ters ;  and  the  flag  of  the  Union  waves  ;n  triumph  over 
;he  Levee  of  0,rleans^ 

BUT  it   \s  not  merely  the  selfish  consideration, that  we 
have  obtained  possession  of  a  city  or  a  country,  or  the 
navigation  of  a  river,  that  warrants  our  festive  rejoicings. 
Our  hearts  dilatewith  nobler  rapture  and  with  new  enjoy- 
ment, when  we  recollect,  that,  by  this  event,  is  openeda 
"  WIDER  SPREAD   FOR  THE  BLESSINGS  OF    FREEDOM  AND 
EQUAL  LAWS  I"     A  true  Republican  does  not  confinehis 
regard  to  the  narro,w  circle  in  which   he  may  be  placed. 
Enlisted  in  the  holy  cause  of  Freedom,  he  traces  her  prog- 
ress with  equal  delight,  whether  she  wantons  in  the  lux- 
uriant fields  of  Italy.*  or  climbs    the   rugged  heights   of 
Switzerland  ;   whether   her  footsteps  press  the   vine-clad 
hills  of  France,    or    the   bleak  mountains   of   Norway; 
whether,  to  "  redress  the  rigors  of  the  inclement  dime"  she 
scatters   her  dews  on    the  arid  plains  of  the   Equator, 
or    melts,  with  her  fires,  the  frozen  fetters  of  the   pole  ! 
To  him,  every  advocate  of  the  same  glorious  cause  is  a 
friend   and  a  brother.      He  groups,  with  an  eye  of  im- 
partial admiration,  the  worthies  of  ancient.aiKl  of  modern 
days,  who  have  fought  under  her   banners.       He  views, 
with    eq'ial   affection   and     respect,   an    EMMET  on   the 
scaffold,  and  a  HANCOCK    in  the  Chair  of  State  ;  a  CA- 
MILLUS  in  banishment,  and  a  FAYSTIE  in  prison  ;  a  CA- 


(    '2    ) 

TO  on  his  sword,  and  a  BRISSOT  under  the  guillotine  ;  a 
CURRAN  defending  the  rights  and  lives  of  the  victims  of 
oppression,  and  a  JEFFERSON  protecting  the  peace  and 
prosperity  of  the  sons  of  liberty  •  a  ROWAN,  bending  his 
fxiled  steps  from  the  land  of  his  nativity,  and  a  WASH- 
INGTON, retiring  to  the  scenes  of  his  youth,  laden  with 
laurels,  and  escorted  by  the  acclamations  of  his  country- 
men.    Proud  of  a  connection  with  the  intrepid  defend- 
ers of  the  RIGHTS  of  MAN,  he  regrets  their  excesses,  and 
bewails  their  misfortunes.     He  laments  that  delirium  of 
Freedom,  which  armed  with  daggers  and  with  pikes   the 
people  of  France,  which   erected  the   guillotine,  which 
inscribed  death  and  devastation  in  letters  of  blood  on  the 
banners  of  the  United  Sons  of  Erir^  which   clogged  with 
carcasses    the  channel  of  the  Seine,  and  crimsoned  with 
blood    the  waves  of  the  Liffey   /    But   still  more  does  he 
detest  the  dark,  designing,  determined  cruelty  of  despo- 
tism.    Fcr  the    one  springs  from    great  and  ennobling 
motives — from   the   generous    impatience    of  wounded 
|  honor,  of  irritated  feeling,  of  honest  zeal   for    "  OP- 
PRESSED HUMANITY."  ;  The  other  is  the  offspring 
of  cold,  jealous,  malicious  cowardice,  of  conscious  vil_ 
lainy.     The  one  consigns  its   victims  to  a   certain  and 
inevitable  fate,  from  the  warm  and  unreflecting  impulse 
of  excited  passion.     The    other  imposes  the  torture  of 
suspense  and  the  horror  of  anticipation.     Or  when   pro- 
miscuous slaughter  is  decreed  by  the    dark    Conclave    of 
Tyranny,  she  mingles  with  the  bloody  obsequies  of  mur- 
der, the  solemn  mockery  of  devotion.     She  chaunts  th§ 


(.  '3  ) 

sacred  hyrnn  of  Gratitude  to  GOB,*  while  the  shrieks  of 
the  massacred  fill  every  pause  of  the  choral  rites  of  hy- 
pocricy.  She  raises  to  Heaven  with  all  the  affectation 
of  praise  and  prayer,  hands  but  just  imbrued  in  the 
blood  of  immolated  innocence  ! 

FELLOW-CITIZENS  !  In  the  occasion  of  our  joy,  we 
anticipate  neither  the  excesses  of  Liberty,  nor  the  hor- 
rors of  'Tyranny.  We  rejoice,  that  an  Empire  of 
Laws  is  about  to  be  established  ;  that  mild,  social,,  ra- 
tional Freedom  is  about  to  pervade  a  widely-extended 
terrritory  ;  that  Despotism  and  his  minions  are  expelled 
from  this  fair  American  Eden^  and  that  the  "  cherubim" 
are  posted, and  the  "  flaming  sword,which  turneth  every- 
way" is  suspended,  to  prevent  their  return. 

AND  while  we  offer  to  our  Rulers  our  tribute  of  ap- 
plause, for  this  Stance  of  their  wisdom  and  patriotism, 
let  us  not  forget,  that  this  is  but  one  of  a  series  of  mer- 
itorious services ;  that  they  have  labored  incessantly,hon- 

*  THE  name  of  CATHERINE  II,  late  Emprtss  of  the  Russias,  reminds 
HS  of  all  that  is  base  in  treachery,  or  diabolical  in  cruelty.  She  appears 
to  have  existed,  merely  to  convince  the  world,  that  it  is  the  blasting  and 
destructive  effect  of  a  Crown  to  take  away,  net  only  all  that  is  humane 
and  honorable  in  a  man,  but  all  that"  is  lovely  and  attractive  in  a  female. 
When  the  Monster  SUWARROW,  a  fit  agent  of  this  "  Sbt.^olf  of  the 
Worth,"  had  sacked  the  city  of  Warsaw,  and  ten  hours  after  all  resistance 
had  ceased,  set  fire  to  the  city,  consumed  in  the  flames  the  sick  and  wound- 
ed, and  in  cold  blood  put  to  the  sword  all  the  other  inhabitants,  including 
old  men,  women  and  children,  to  the  number  of  'nine  thtusand  :  In  com - 
melioration  of  this  happy  event,  this  pious  Princess  set  apart  a  day  of  sol. 
*mn  Thanksgiving  to  God,  and  ordered  **  Te  Dfu;i"  to  be  sung  in  s.\l 
the  churches. 


estly  and  successfully  for  the  public  good  ;  that  they 
fcave  thus  justly  acquired  the  praise,  the  esteem,  the  sup^ 
port  of  every  friend  to  his  country.  The  foul  and  with- 
ered hand  of  Envy  has  been  extended  to  pluck  the  wreath 
of  glory  from  their  brows.  But — IN  VAIN  !  There  wili 
it  bloom  in  perennial  verdure,  unblasted  by  the  pestilen- 
tial breath  of  slander,or  the  chill  frost  of  ungrateful  neg~ 
iect.  The  darts  of  calumny,  like  the  arrows  of  XERXES, 
may,  for  a  time,  darken  the  atmosphere  of  reason  ;  but 
•when  aimed  at  such  exalted,  characters,  the  "  strong 
breast-plate  of  a  heart  untainteda"  blunts  and  repels 
them. 

"  IF  there  be  any  in  this  assembly ,"  any  inveterate 
foe  to  the  great  and  good  men,  to  whom  we  have  confid- 
ed the  destinies  of  our  nation  ;  any,  \vho  with  the  vio- 
lence of  heated  invective,  or  the  cunning  of  cautious  ma- 
lignity,assails  their  characters  and.  traduces  their  actions  • 
let  him  withdraw  from  the  festivities  of  this  day,  and  seek, 
in  some  gloomy  retirement,  a  scene  more  congenial  with, 
the  color  of  his  soul.  Let  him  not  damp,  even  with  a 
look  of  distrustful  jealousy,  the  high  and  buoyant  ten^ 
or  of  our  joys. 

AND  for  you,  REPUBLICANS  !  you,  who  decided 
and  undeviating,  have  adhered  to  the  principles  of  our 
Glorious  Revolution,  who  have  never  "  defiled  your  gar- 
ments," who  have  "held  fast  your  integrity,"  and  re- 
mained firm  and  unshaken  amidst  the  obloquy,  the  con- 
tempt and  derision,  to  which  you  were  exposed,  during 
the  "  reign  of  terror  ;"  DISCIPLES  OF  FREEDOM  f 
who  endured  the  oppression  of  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  for 


her  sake,  witnessed  her  Crucifixion,  watched  at  her  Seput- 
chrc,  and  awaited  her  Resurrection  ;  suffer  notyoursuc- 
cess  and  your  triumph  to  lull  your  watchfulness,  or  to 
paralize  your  energies.  Let  not  the  fortress,  you  have 
acquired  by  your  valor,  be  lost  by  your  listlessness,  or 
betrayed  by  your  false  security.  inattention  to  your 
highest  concerns  admits  of  no  palliation.  Interest,  pas- 
sion, or  prejudice  may  incite  your  opponents  to  their 
ceaseless  warfare  against  Truth  and  Republicanism.  But 
for  an  indolent  and  indifferent  neglect  of  duty,  there  ii 
no  excuse.  No  motive  can  be  assigned,  which  is  noi 
humiliating  to  you,  and  treacherous  to  your  country  f 
"  Who  is  not  WITH  MS,  is  AGAINST  us  :  —  and  whoso  GATH- 


ERETH    not,  SCATTERETH   !" 

NEVER  had  a  cause  nobler  inducements  to  offer  ;  — 
never  had  a  cause  better  or  more  brilliant  prospects, 
The  Sun  of  Republicanism  has  grown  brighter  anil 
brighter,  almost  unto  perfect  day  !  Already  it  shines 
with  full-orb'd  splendor,  on  the  mountains  of  Hamp- 
shire. Already  has  it  "  tipt,  with  its  rising  beams,"  the 
hundred  hills  of  Massachusetts.  Soon  may  every  portion 
of  our  Fellow-Citizens  and  our  Fellow-Men  bask  in  its 
meridian  rays  !  Soon  may  that  glorious  political  Millen- 
nium arrive,  when  every  knee  shall  bow  to  the  MAJESTY 
of  the  PEOPLE,  and  every  tongue  confess  their  SOVE- 
REIGNTY !  ! 


END. 


POSTSCRIPT. 

[A  FEw'sentences,  in  ths  I4th  page  of  the  preceding  performance,  we  r& 
extracted  from  a  former  news-paper  publication  of  the  Author.  Wheth- 
er or  not,  this  be  plagiarism,  he  leaves  to  critical  casuists  to  determine, 


